Durant's

[exit2lef]

To be clear, I don't necessarily think the changes will be entirely negative. To a certain extent, they're inevitable given the economics of the moment.

No, a standard Mastro's menu will definitely be an improvement over what Durant's has been serving the past few years. That kitchen was just phoning it in. But it's the shift in style that I think is a big mistake. How do you feel that's dictated by economics? Do you just mean that that's what they have to serve to attract customers in Phoenix, or is there something else at work?

I'm primarily referring to shifting the menu to a format that's mostly a la carte, if indeed that's what they're doing. The old Durant's provided a tray of crudités (aka "relish tray"), foccaccia-like bread with garlic butter, a side dish, and a choice of soup or salad with every meal. I just read somewhere that the relish tray will remain, but If the new Durant's foregoes the other items, it's a way to reduce costs.

Also, adding ultra-premium options like wagyu beef and caviar speaks to seeking an upscale clientele rather than just ordinary folks enjoying a special occasion. I think that is somewhat driven by income inequality, just as the growth in the retail sector is seen at the high end in terms of luxury brands and the low end in terms of dollar stores, with mid-tier department stores like Macy's struggling.

[BillBuitenhuys]

I agree that good execution of the standard Mastro menu is an improvement over what was coming out of that kitchen but there was something homey about the Durant's menu and feel, that I'd hate to see lost.

[BillBuitenhuys]

I just looked at the wine and spirits pricing and what the f*ck!?

$42 Hendricks martini
$34 paper plane
$42 for a pour of Booker's that sells retail for $88/bottle.
Cocktails have decent ingredients but nothing that warrants this level of uncharge.

Wine List is predictable and way marked up. Durant's always had a solid bunch of Interesting reds (like various Ridge or Turley) in the $85 range. Mastro Durant's Turley's (reserve list) are $148 and $195. The interesting reds are now a bunch of supermarket wines.